Photographer&#39;s scene-holder.



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S. J. HOPSDII. PHDH'IGBAPIIEBS SCENE HOLDER.

(Applitinm led Iob. 24, 1902A (lo lodel.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SEYMOUR J. HOP-SON, OF HOPKINS, MISSOURI.

PHOTOGRAPHERS SCENE-HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 713,765, dated November18,1902. Application filed February 24,1902. Serial No. 95,382. (Nomodel.)

To all whom t may concern,.-

Be it known that I, SEYMOUR J. llorsoN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Hopkins, in the county of Nodaway and State of Missouri,have invented a new and useful Photographers Scene-Holder, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide an adjustable support forscenes and backgrounds employed in photographic work, the scene-holderand its carrier or support being adjustable vertically to any desiredextent and being revoluble and movable to any desired position withinthe range of the camera, the device being capable of use either as asupport for a scene or background or as a reflector for throwing lighton an object being photographed.

Vith this and otherobjects in view the invention consists in the novelconstruction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, illustratedin the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the claimshereto appended.

ln the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a scene holder orsupport constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is asectional plan view of a portion of the same drawn to a somewhat-largerscale. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of a pair of the blocks,which serve as connections between the scenecarrying frame and thesupporting device.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to designate correspondingparts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

10 indicates the vertically-disposed post, having a base or supportformed by a pair of crossed and interitting blocks 11 of sufficientlength to forni a stable base for the device. The opposite sides of thepost 10 are provided with grooves 12 for the reception of guidingplates13, secured to the opposite sides of blocks 14, the blocks beingpreferably formed of wood and the plates of heavy sheet metal, which maybe bent to engage in the grooves. One of the blocks 14 is arranged oneach side of the post; but the grooves are of such width that theguiding-plates will not come into contact with each other when theblocks are approaching or are in the same horizontal plane. The twoblocks are connected together by a flexible cord or chain 15, whichextends over a small shea-ve 16, mounted in brackets for the top of thepost, the arrangement being such that a movement in one direction of oneof the blocks will be imparted in the Opposite direction to the otherblock. The front of each block is provided with a groove or recess 17,and on the face of the block is secured a metallic plate 18, having aslot 19 of a width less than the slot or recess of the block, said platebeing so arranged that the edge wall of the slotted portion will projectover the edge walls of the slot 17, thereby forming an engaging pocketfor the reception of the enlarged head of a pin 20, projecting from thecentral portion of a block 21 and affording a ready means for engagingand disengaging saidblock 21.

Each block 2l forms the center of a frame 22, of rectangular or otherform and preferg ably formed of wood, so that the background may bereadily tacked in position, or it may be of metal or other material andthe background or scene be secured thereto by any suitable fasteningdevices.

lVhen the two frames are mounted on the connected supporting blocks 14,they will perfectly counterbalance each other and will remain in anyposition to which they may be adj usted. There is little or noresistance offered to an adjusting movement, either frame being readilymoved to any desired vertical position. The engaging devices between theblocks 14 and 2l are such as to permit the ready turning of the framewhen such an adjustment is desired, as shown in Fig. 1.

For convenience in moving the device from place to place the post isprovided with a suitable handle :formed of a strip of wood split for thegreater portion of its length and embracing the post at a point belowthe range of movement of the blocks. This handle 24 is of suiiicientlength to be grasped from each side while the frames are in place.

The frames employed may be of any shape and size for the reception of ascene or background of any character, or they may be einployed as asupport for pictures or drawings or other iiat objects to be copied, orthe frame may be covered with suitable material to serve as a reflectorto light up any desired portion of an object being photographed.

The device is especially valuable for use IOO as a head-ground carrier,and as the frames are readily removable from the supportingblocks onebackground may be readily substituted for another when occasionrequires.

While the construction herein described, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, is the preferred form of the device, it isobvious that various changes in the form, proportions, size, and minordetails of the structure may be made without departing from the spiritor sacrificing any of the advantages of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is l. In a device ofthe class specified, a supporting-post, a counterbalanced block mountedon said post and adjustable vertically thereon, and scene-frames adaptedto be interchangeably and revolubl y mounted on said block.

2. In a device of the class specified, a supporting-post having groovesin its opposite side, a pair of blocks guided on said post, a flexibleconnecting means extending between said blocks whereby one maycounterbalance the other, and scene-carryin g frames adapted to beinterchangeably and revolubly mounted on said blocks.

3. In a device of the class specified, a

grooved post, blocks guided by said posts and 3o connected to each otherfor movement in opposite direction, and interchangeable sceneframesadapted to be supported by said blocks.

4. In a device of the class specified, a grooved post, blocks guided onsaid post, a flexible cord connecting said blocks, a receiving-pocketformed in each block, and interchangeable frames having headed studsadapted to said pocket, substantially as specified.

5. In a device of the class speciied, a supporting-post, a handlesecured thereto, a pair of blocks guided on said post and having pocketsin their outer faces, interchangeable frames, headed studs carried bysaid frames and adapted to the pockets, asheave arranged at the upperportion of the post, and a cord extending over said sheave and havingits op posite ends connected to the blocks.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto 'affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

SEYMOUR J. HOPSON.

Witnesses:

J. ARTHAND, G. F. MAUKER.

